Raceland drainage upgrades should be done by March

Published: Monday, October 15, 2012 at 11:26 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, October 15, 2012 at 11:26 a.m.

It's not every day that the topic of drainage warrants words like “excited” and “highly anticipated.”

But that's how Lafourche Public Works Director Kerry Babin describe a project in Raceland that is “going to help a lot of people in a big way.”

The parish's biggest non-pump-based drainage project in recent history is well under way at the Sugarland Shopping Center and along La. 1, Babin said.

When it rains in the area, “all of the rainwater that accumulates in the parking lot of the shopping center, and all the rainwater that runs off the roof, all that rain has to drain to the south through all its residential area to the Twin Oaks pump station,” Babin said. “That's roughly two miles away, and it inundates the drainage system in that residential area.”

Between 500 and 600 homes in the Twin Oaks subdivision are affected by this problem, Babin said.

The project broke ground Aug. 7.

Over the past 45 days, engineers have placed three large pipes under La. 1 that will divert the water into Bayou Lafourche, Babin said. Now, they're installing drainage pipes under the parking lots of the Raceland Truck Plaza and Casino.

“As opposed to having this water travel through ditches approximately two miles it ... will go a total distance of 200 feet. It cuts the distance down just tremendously and relieves the burden on the pumping stations in the back,” he said.

Businesses there include Rouses, several restaurants, clothing stores and an auto parts store.

“This is a highly anticipated project for the people who live and own businesses in the area,” Babin said.

The pipes themselves are about 1,200 feet long, he said. They gradually slope down underground, so the system does not require pumps.

The $1 million project, paid for by Community Development Block Grants, is scheduled to be finished in March, Babin said.

“We've waited a long time for this,” he said. “We're happy to finally see this project to fruition.”

The engineering firm is Picciola & Associates, and the contractor is La. Contracting Enterprise of Thibodaux.

“This is going to be a very extensive system that will take the water out of an area,” Parish President Charlotte Randolph said. “It will mean that in the future, the water will have a place to go and will no longer be a pain to the people who live there. It has been a considerable pain for people for a long time.”

Staff Writer Katie Urbaszewski can be reached at 448-7617 or katie.urbaszewski@dailycomet.com.

<p>It's not every day that the topic of drainage warrants words like “excited” and “highly anticipated.”</p><p>But that's how Lafourche Public Works Director Kerry Babin describe a project in Raceland that is “going to help a lot of people in a big way.”</p><p>The parish's biggest non-pump-based drainage project in recent history is well under way at the Sugarland Shopping Center and along La. 1, Babin said.</p><p>When it rains in the area, “all of the rainwater that accumulates in the parking lot of the shopping center, and all the rainwater that runs off the roof, all that rain has to drain to the south through all its residential area to the Twin Oaks pump station,” Babin said. “That's roughly two miles away, and it inundates the drainage system in that residential area.”</p><p>Between 500 and 600 homes in the Twin Oaks subdivision are affected by this problem, Babin said. </p><p>The project broke ground Aug. 7.</p><p>Over the past 45 days, engineers have placed three large pipes under La. 1 that will divert the water into Bayou Lafourche, Babin said. Now, they're installing drainage pipes under the parking lots of the Raceland Truck Plaza and Casino.</p><p>“As opposed to having this water travel through ditches approximately two miles it ... will go a total distance of 200 feet. It cuts the distance down just tremendously and relieves the burden on the pumping stations in the back,” he said.</p><p>Businesses there include Rouses, several restaurants, clothing stores and an auto parts store.</p><p>“This is a highly anticipated project for the people who live and own businesses in the area,” Babin said.</p><p>The pipes themselves are about 1,200 feet long, he said. They gradually slope down underground, so the system does not require pumps.</p><p>The $1 million project, paid for by Community Development Block Grants, is scheduled to be finished in March, Babin said.</p><p>“We've waited a long time for this,” he said. “We're happy to finally see this project to fruition.”</p><p>The engineering firm is Picciola & Associates, and the contractor is La. Contracting Enterprise of Thibodaux.</p><p>“This is going to be a very extensive system that will take the water out of an area,” Parish President Charlotte Randolph said. “It will mean that in the future, the water will have a place to go and will no longer be a pain to the people who live there. It has been a considerable pain for people for a long time.”</p><p><i>Staff Writer Katie Urbaszewski can be reached at 448-7617 or katie.urbaszewski@dailycomet.com.</i></p>